Phamsana
Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Phamsana is a type of Nagara (north Indian style) temple roof. It is broader and shorter than a curved tower. It is made of layers of stone slabs that rise in straight slopes and meet at a single point, like a stepped pyramid. It was often used over the mandapa, the hall in front of the shrine. Many temples combine a tall curved latina tower over the shrine with a lower phamsana roof over the hall.
Example
At the Sun temple of Konark in Odisha (c. thirteenth century CE), the jagamohana (assembly hall) has a huge pyramid-like roof made of slabs in steps. In Odisha this kind of roof is called pidha deul.
Don't confuse with
- Latina shikhara: a tall tower whose sides curve inward. A phamsana roof rises in straight, stepped slopes.
Related concepts
- Puranic Hinduism
- Vaishnavism
- Avatar
- Dashavatara
- Varaha
- Vasudeva-Krishna
- Shaivism
- Linga
- Garbhagriha
- Antarala